Abstract
The growth of Nd xLa 1−xP 5O 14 (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) crystals from phosphoric acid solution has been studied. Crystals have been obtained at temperatures between 300°C and 750°C. Vitreous graphite is a suitable container for the crystal growth. Changes in crystal morphology and crystal quality with growth temperature have been observed. Evaporation at high temperatures (>550°C) in an open system is too rapid to allow the growth of high quality crystals, although large (> 1 cm) crystals may be prepared, and the best quality crystals with respect to optical inhomogeneities are prepared at 450–550°C. Both pulsed and cw laser action have been observed. The Nd 3+ 4 F 3 2 fluorescent lifetime increases from 120 μsec (x = 1) to μsec (sec ≤ 0.05). These values indicate a seven-fold reduction in fluorescence quenching with respect to YAG:Nd. For crystals grown at temperatures below 600°C, however shorter lifetimes are observed and the quenching becomes more severe as the temperature of preparation is lowered. The quenching may be removed by appealing low lifetime crystals at 600–700°C in a P 2O 5 atmosphere. It is proposed on the basis of infrared absorption measurements that the lifetime shortening is related to the presence of hydrogen in crystals grown at lower temperatures. The vibrational characteristics of pentaphosphate crystals have also been investigated by Raman spectroscopy.
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